It's time. Time for The Big Shot to exert his influence. Time for the guy with the preposterous contract to revive the expiring Preposterous Dream.

The Devils' playoff hopes are dying for goals. It's time for Ilya Kovalchuk to score them. Moses, if you must. Somebody has to do it.

"Everybody has to do more, starting with myself. Our top two lines have to do much better. We're creating chances, but we can't score," Kovalchuk said.

The Devils open a four-game road trip with today's visit to Columbus, bringing their first two-game losing streak since January among their baggage, which includes the certainty they can only drop four points in their final 11 games and still reach 88, the historic qualifying minimum to reach the postseason.